Film Printing Head Having Hybrid Lenses

Abstract

There are provided film printing systems and methods for printing images on one of two different width film stocks. A method for printing images on one of two different width film stocks includes the step of combining each of three different color light streams into a combined color stream. The method further includes the step of directing the combined color stream into a hybrid lens that focuses the combined color stream onto one of the two different width film stocks such that a uniformity of the combined color stream remains the same regardless of film width.

1 . A method for printing images on one of two different width film stocks, comprising the steps of:
 combining each of three different color light streams into a combined color stream; and   directing the combined color stream into a hybrid lens that focuses the combined color stream onto one of the two different width film stocks such that a uniformity of the combined color stream remains the same regardless of film width.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hybrid lens is both anamorphic and holographic. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the two different width film stocks include a 70 mm film stock and a 35 mm film stock. 
   
   
       4 . A film printing system for printing images on one of two different width film stocks, comprising:
 a light box for combining each of three different color light streams into a combined color stream; and   a hybrid lens for focusing the combined color stream onto one of the two different width film stocks such that a uniformity of the combined color stream remains the same regardless of film width.   
   
   
       5 . The film printing system of  claim 4 , wherein the hybrid lens is both anamorphic and holographic. 
   
   
       6 . The film printing system of  claim 4 , wherein the two different width film stocks include a 70 mm film stock and a 35 mm film stock. 
   
   
       7 . A method for printing images on one of two different width film stocks in a film printing system having at least two folding mirrors, the method comprising the steps of:
 combining each of three different color light streams into a combined color stream;   directing the combined color stream into a first anamorphic lens, disposed in between the at least two folding mirrors, to enhance a density level thereof; and   directing the combined color stream into a second anamorphic lens, disposed after the at least two folding mirrors, to focus the combined color stream onto one of the two different width film stocks such that a uniformity of the combined color stream remains the same regardless of film width.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the two different width film stocks include a 70 mm film stock and a 35 mm film stock. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first anamorphic lens is a positive anamorphic lens, and the second anamorphic lens is a negative anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the film printing system has an existing anamorphic lens in between the at least two folding mirrors, and the first anamorphic lens is of a power higher than the existing anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the film printing system has another existing anamorphic lens in between the at least two folding mirrors, and the first anamorphic lens is of a higher power than the other existing anamorphic lens, and replaces the other existing anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the film printing system has an existing anamorphic lens subsequent to the at least two folding mirrors, and the second anamorphic lens is disposed subsequent to the at least two folding mirrors and preceding the existing anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       13 . A film printing system having at least two folding mirrors, comprising:
 a light box for combining each of three different color light streams into a combined color stream; and   a first anamorphic lens, disposed in between the at least two folding mirrors, for focusing the combined color stream to enhance a density level thereof; and   a second anamorphic lens, disposed subsequent to the at least two folding mirrors, for focusing the combined color stream onto one of two different width film stocks such that a uniformity of the combined color stream remains the same regardless of film width.   
   
   
       14 . The film printing system of  claim 13 , wherein the two different width film stocks include a 70 mm film stock and a 35 mm film stock. 
   
   
       15 . The film printing system of  claim 13 , wherein the first anamorphic lens is a positive anamorphic lens, and the second anamorphic lens is a negative anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       16 . The film printing system, of  claim 13 , wherein the film printing system has an existing anamorphic lens in between the at least two folding mirrors, and the first anamorphic lens is of a power higher than the existing anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       17 . The film printing system of  claim 16 , wherein the film printing system has another existing anamorphic lens in between the at least two folding mirrors, and the first anamorphic lens is of a higher power than the other existing anamorphic lens, and replaces the other existing anamorphic lens. 
   
   
       18 . The film printing system of  claim 13 , wherein the film printing system has an existing anamorphic lens subsequent to the at least two folding mirrors, and the second anamorphic lens is disposed subsequent to the at least two folding mirrors and preceding the existing anamorphic lens.